UN General Assembly should be given more authority, its President says

The United Nations General Assembly should be given more authority to respond to emerging global challenges, its President told reporters in Vienna today.

Julian Robert Hunte of Saint Lucia also called for reform of the Security Council as part of the broader effort to make the UN a more credible, representative and effective organization.

While hailing recent progress in strengthening the Assembly, he stressed the need to enlarge the Security Council and address related issues, including the use of the veto.

Responding to press questions about the likelihood of Germany or Japan being given permanent seats on the Council, Mr. Hunte said the latest talks indicated a preference for expanding that 15-member body to include no less than 24 and no more than 26 States. Germany and Japan appeared to be fully qualified, he added.